There are plenty of things that make cover letters stand out in a wrong way.
To avoid your resume landing in the circular file and to achieve your goal of getting an interview, follow these five guidelines—and the easiest-to-remember acronym ever:
​“C-O-V-E-R.”

CCall out leadership positions, relevant awards, and advanced skill sets right at the beginning. This is the easiest way to catch someone’s eye as soon as he or she starts reading. “I am writing because I am interested in the Communications Manager position” doesn't say a lot, but “I believe that my experience securing international media coverage for high-profile tech clients make me the perfect match for the Communications Manager position” does.OOffer stats to illustrate your impact on companies or associations you’ve worked for in the past. Employers love to see numbers—it shows them that you speak their language and that you understand what they’re looking for in an employee: results.V
Verify the appropriate contact name to use in the greeting of the cover letter (you would be shocked at how many people don’t do this).E
Exemplify your strengths. Show off your skills with descriptive statements like “I’m an expert communicator with experience bringing together diverse departments to develop a cohesive program.” It’s longer—but it’s also stronger.R
Refrain from regurgitating all of the same information already detailed in your resume.

You never, never need to go over one page—the goal here is to draw someone in and showcase your qualifications using as few words as possible.